JJ McCarthy Makes Eight-Word Statement About Vikings' Sam Darnold

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Spencer Ostrow | Last updated Dec 29, 2024 10:48 PM ET

The Minnesota Vikings took on their NFC North rivals, the Green Bay Packers, on Sunday in a pivotal matchup for playoff seeding. While the Vikings came into the Week 17 game holding a Wild Card spot, they were still in the race for the NFC’s No. 1 seed, tied at 13-2 with the Detroit Lions.

The Packers struck first with a 22-yard field goal from Brandon McManus, but the Vikings responded in the second quarter. They rattled off 20 unanswered points, and for a while, it looked like they had the game wrapped up. Green Bay made a late push, but a nine-yard touchdown catch by Cam Akers ultimately proved too much for Green Bay to overcome, as they won 27-25.

Quarterback Sam Darnold continued to shine for the Vikings after taking the starting job in the preseason from injured rookie JJ McCarthy, who suffered a season-ending knee injury before his first NFL snap.

The seventh-year veteran completed 33-of-43 passes for 377 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in the win.

After the game, McCarthy took to Instagram to make a statement about Darnold's play.

"Guy knows how to throw some leather around," McCarthy wrote while reposting the Vikings' locker room celebration with Darnold.

Darnold, the third overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft by the New York Jets, has had quite the journey. Once labeled a bust after underwhelming stints in New York, Carolina and San Francisco, Darnold signed with the Vikings this season, and it’s been a complete 180.

The former USC standout has transformed a Minnesota team that went 7-10 last year into a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

Riding a nine-game winning streak, the Vikings are now 14-2, with Darnold racking up 4,153 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions on the year. He’s not only silencing critics but also setting himself up for a massive payday in the offseason.

Next up, the Vikings face the Lions in Week 18 for the NFC North title and the No. 1 seed. Detroit, sitting at 13-2, will first play the San Francisco 49ers on "Monday Night Football."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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